United Bulldog Breed Club

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United Bulldog Breed Club The United Bulldog Breed Health Scheme launched in 2021 offering an enhanced level of health testing for all Bulldogs of any colour, KC and DWKC registered.

02/10/2022

Do you own a Bulldog, French Bulldog or Pug? Do you want a FREE assessment under our Respiratory Function Grading (RFG) Scheme?

We need your help! We’re recruiting dogs to help us train vets on how to perform assessments for the RFG Scheme. The training day is being held on Tuesday 11 October at The Kennel Club Building, Stoneleigh and we’re looking for volunteers who can bring their dog(s) along.

For more information or to register your interest, please contact our Health team at [email protected].

More information about the scheme can be found on our website at: thekennelclub.org.uk/rfgs.

11/07/2022

KENNEL CLUB ANNOUNCES INAUGURAL HEALTH AND WELFARE CONFERENCE

The Kennel Club has today (11 July) announced tickets are on sale for its first Health and Welfare Conference, bringing together dog health and welfare experts, breed community representatives, owners and breeders.

Following the increase in dog ownership, the inaugural two-day event, taking place on November 12 and 13 2022 at Chesford Grange, Kenilworth, aims to drive collaboration and discussion on pertinent canine topics to ultimately improve the health, well-being and welfare of dogs now, and in the future.

The Kennel Club is facilitating workshops, seminars and talks from a range of experts renowned in their respective fields of canine research and well-being – including genetic researcher Dr Joanna Ilska, cardiology specialist Dr Hannah Stephenson, Dr Dan O’Neill of the Royal Veterinary College, and veterinary historian Dr Alison Skipper – discussing prevalent topics such as ‘What does DNA tell us and do breeders understand it?’ and ‘How can we breed healthier dogs in the future?’

The outline programme for each day is as follows:

Saturday:

Seven talks on topics including: Understanding Estimated Breeding Values and Genetic Breeding Values for healthier breeding and heart health and pre-breeding screening

Sunday:

Three workshop sessions on topics including: How to breed healthier dogs, the role of breed standards and what does DNA really tell us?

Open to anyone interested in discussing and collaborating to improve dog health and welfare, tickets for The Kennel Club’s 2022 Health and Welfare Conference are available to purchase now at: thekennelclub.org.uk/healthandwelfareconference. The cost per delegate is £35.00 for both days, including lunch and refreshments, with discounted tickets for Breed Health and Rescue Co-ordinators.

Bill Lambert, Health, Welfare and Breeder Services Executive at The Kennel Club said of the event: “We are so pleased to be introducing the first Kennel Club Health and Welfare Conference. After a turbulent few years, we felt it extremely important to bring together a host of different expertise and perspectives to discuss and align on priorities for improving dog health and welfare.

“These important seminars and workshops really benefit from being in-person where everyone can feel inspired to collaborate in discussion and ask big-picture questions to improve the wellbeing of dogs.”

For further information about the conference, including details about the speakers, talks, accommodation, travel and stands from external organisations, please visit: thekennelclub.org.uk/healthandwelfareconference or email The Kennel Club’s health team: [email protected]

More information about what The Kennel Club does to improve dog health and welfare can be found at: thekennelclub.org.uk/Health.

05/07/2022

Will you be taking your dogs to East of England Championship Show this weekend? 🐶

We will be there on Saturday and Sunday for anyone who would like to take part with their dog in our ongoing study. Come find us in the atrium of the show ground!

The assessment is non-invasive and includes:
✔️ BOAS assessment (respiratory functional grading)
✔️ Physical examination
✔️ Soft tape and photographic measurements
✔️ Cheek swabs for DNA

For further information visit our website:
https://www.vet.cam.ac.uk/research/boas
https://www.vet.cam.ac.uk/boas/research/head

15/06/2022
15/06/2022

Lorraine Watkins posts in reply to the post below from the KC
The source of the shocking statement about Bulldogs is from a combination of information from Vets practices involved with The Vets Compass Data Collection and Insurance Companies, both of which deal only with sick dogs.
No healthy dogs were included in the statistics and no reference is made to the percentage of the sick dogs compared to the mass population of Bulldogs alive in the UK. We have no confirmation that the dogs used were actually purebred Bulldogs.
All Bulldog type breeds come under the umbrella of The Bulldog. The Bulldog Breed Council Health Scheme is to encourage breeders to carry out the relevant breed-specific health tests including the University of Cambridge/Kennel Club Respiratory Function Grading Scheme
Over the past 11 years, that the scheme has been running we have seen a marked improvement in the health of Bulldogs bred by responsible and caring breeders who make use of the evidence-based tools available. Every negative comment that refers to conformation and health can be negated by simply referring to the standard, it does not call for exaggeration in any part.
The breed standard was written to help us breed dogs that look like bulldogs, but also to produce healthy dogs. Health test results show a decrease in breed specific health problems We acknowledge that there is a large percentage of breeders that are outside of the show population that do not make use of the breeding tools available , to encourage the breeding of healthy , breed type puppies.
We feel that the most prevalent condition in bulldogs is cherry eye.
We know it is not inherited by a gene, but is familial.
We will conduct a new survey of owners to compare to a previous survey, to see if we can provide information that will decrease the occurrence of cherry eye in Bulldogs . The Bulldog Breed Council would like to work with The Kennel Club to find a better means of communication to educate the public away from Social Media Posts advertising ‘so called’ Bulldogs of various types, colours and size that are purposely bred for exaggeration.

KENNEL CLUB GIVES ADVICE TO IMPROVE BULLDOG HEALTH AFTER CHARITABLE TRUST FUNDED STUDY HIGHLIGHTS CONCERNS

The Kennel Club has responded to new research released today (15 June) analysing Bulldog health in comparison to other breeds.

Funded in part by The Kennel Club Charitable Trust, the research looked at the risks of the most common conditions in Bulldogs, when compared to other breeds, which included Brachycephalic Obstructive Airways Syndrome (BOAS) that is often linked to flat faced breeds. BOAS affected four per cent (112 dogs of 2,662) of Bulldogs in the study – but they were 20 times more likely to suffer from the condition than other breeds of dog.

The research showed other similar conditions linked to brachycephaly (flat faces) and the likelihood of the conditions occurring in Bulldogs – for example 7 per cent of Bulldogs in the study suffer from skinfold dermatitis, 6 per cent were affected by cherry eye and 2 per cent by a jutting lower jaw – and it also showed the increased chances of the condition occurring when compared to other breeds.

Researchers compared the risks of common disorders in Bulldogs to other dogs by analysing records from veterinary practices across the UK from 2016 using the VetCompass database.

Overall, this study showed the most likely conditions to affect Bulldogs after ear infections were obesity and overgrown nails, which can be tackled by better owner care and awareness.

The five health conditions most common in the Bulldogs studied were:

Ear infections (16 per cent, or 431 dogs in the study)

Obesity (10 per cent, or 253 dogs in the study)

Overgrown nails (7 per cent, or 187 dogs in the study)

Skin fold dermatitis (7 per cent, or 178 dogs in the study)

Cherry eye (6 per cent, or 151 dogs in the study)

Bill Lambert, spokesperson for The Kennel Club said: “This research, funded in part by The Kennel Club Charitable Trust, enables us and all those who care about improving Bulldog health to understand more about these complex issues. It is vital that people are aware of the health problems that can be associated with flat faced dogs like Bulldogs – which we must all work together to continually address – and stop and think before they buy.

“The most common health conditions that Bulldogs were shown to suffer from in this study – which after ear infections were obesity and overgrown nails – can be tackled by better owner care and awareness. Those conditions that Bulldogs rank the most highly for in comparison to other breeds, such as a breathing condition known as BOAS that affects around 4 per cent of Bulldogs studied, can be tackled by better use of the health tests available to breeders, such as our breathing test, the Respiratory Function Grading Scheme, which is mandatory for Kennel Club Assured Breeders.

“Our overriding message to owners and prospective owners of Bulldogs is that whilst the number of these dogs impacted by many of the conditions in the study is thankfully low, their chances of suffering from them are much higher than other breeds because they are conditions often related to flat-faced dogs, but there are steps they can take to reduce these risks, such as using health tests and going to a Kennel Club Assured Breeder.

“We urgently want to see people choosing dogs not just because they like the way they look, which is often driven by celebrity and social media, and instead find breeders who use the health tools available and breed a non-exaggerated dog, where health comes first, as described in the breed standard. Whole breed bans, in contrast to responsible breeding and buying, fail to address the issues and drive breeding further underground, to the detriment of dog welfare.”

Dr Alison Skipper, who co-authored the study, said: “Around 1900, some Bulldog breeders were already concerned that the exaggeration of ‘certain typical points’ was ‘intensifying predispositions to disease’ and producing ‘cripples and deformities’ with ‘a sadly shortened duration of life’. This new research provides strong evidence that modern Bulldogs remain troubled by many diseases linked to their body shapes, most of which have been recognised for more than a century. It confirms the need to follow the example of more responsible breeders who prioritise health in breeding decisions to improve the welfare of this popular and iconic breed in the future.”

The full research can be found here and more information about what The Kennel Club is doing to improve and protect dog health, tools for responsible breeders and advice for owners is available at thekennelclub.org.uk/Brachyhub

08/06/2022

A study of different short-skulled dog breeds by the BOAS Research Group at the University of Cam

30/05/2022

Uusi eläinten hyvinvointilaki tulee jatkossa rajoittamaan sitä, millaisia koiria saa käyttää jalostukseen Suomessa.

28/05/2022

Background Brachycephalic dogs clinically affected by brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome have been shown to have a high incidence of gastrointestinal disease, with French Bulldogs (FBD) iden...

25/05/2022

Are some breeds playing catch-up on data collection and health surveys?

When breeding, health needs to come first.
24/05/2022

When breeding, health needs to come first.

Fluff Puff Husky Boy is no everyday dog. His appearance is certainly striking: bright blue eyes, a short, squashed muzzle and an almost feathery white coat with flashes of pink.

Average life span:Pug 7.65 yearsEnglish Bulldog 7.39 yearsFrench Bulldog 4.53 years
28/04/2022

Average life span:

Pug 7.65 years
English Bulldog 7.39 years
French Bulldog 4.53 years

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Cross breeding programme has been announced.Should we have a cross breeding programme for ...
26/04/2022

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Cross breeding programme has been announced.

Should we have a cross breeding programme for the bulldog breed?

FINNISH CKCS CLUB TO GO AHEAD WITH CROSS-BREEDING PROGRAMME

The Finnish Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club has given green light for the club’s first ever cross-breeding programme. The programme was mandated unanimously by the club members in a biannual general meeting on April 23rd 2022.

A preliminary cross-breeding committee was formed in the late summer of 2021, in order to collect information and to draft together a plan for a potential cross-breeding programme for Finnish Cavalier KC Spaniels. Nine months later the plan was put forward for the club members, resulting in a unanimous decision to start the programme.

The cross-breeding programme’s goal is to improve the health of the Cavalier, particularly regarding Mitral Valve Disease, Syringomyelia and possibly even Chiari Malformation. The Finnish CKCS Club recognises that particularly MVD is fixated in the breed and thus traditional Cavalier x Cavalier breeding cannot eradicate the condition nor notably decrease the number of affected dogs. Cross-breeding will introduce the Cavalier with genetic material from another breed that is free from these severe health conditions, increasing CKCS’s genetic diversity. The breed club’s plan is to carry out several litters with several breeds, in order to see long-term health results and to ensure sufficient material for further study.

Regarding partner breeds, no final decisions have yet been made. However, there are set guidelines, such as the partner breed must not show any brachycephalic traits, and its temperament must match that of the typical CKCS. All eventual cross-bred CKCS litters will be bred by registered CKCS breeders under the supervision of The Finnish Kennel Club and the Finnish CKCS Club. A single cross-bred line will include four generations, the final one being FCI registered as purebred Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Completing a single 4-generation line is estimated to take approximately 10 years.

The April general meeting also chose a chairperson for a standing cross-breeding committee. Shortly after a full committee was formed, consisting of long-term Cavalier breeders and devotees. The cross-breeding committee’s goal is to carry out a transparent project that will not only help sustain our beloved breed, but to offer valuable information to other CKCS clubs and breeders around the world. The committee operates under the Finnish Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club.

For further information, please contact
Katja Vuorenheimo
Chair of Cross-Breeding Committee
[email protected]

18/04/2022

The average COI for the Bulldog is 29.4%.

There are three ways to quantify the coefficient of inbreeding (COI): by using a pedigree, trying a small set of polymorphic markers, or testing a genome-wide marker panel. To learn more about the coefficient of inbreeding: https://bit.ly/3GL5ebY

05/04/2022

Let’s pray breeders using this use it correctly

THE KENNEL CLUB INTRODUCES TEMPLATE NOTICE OF ENDORSEMENTS

The Kennel Club is introducing a mandatory template form to assist breeders in simplifying endorsement requirements, which it is hoped will help reduce challenges and disputes over whether endorsements should be lifted or otherwise.

Registration endorsements are used by breeders in the main to protect breeding lines and for welfare protection, in avoiding breeding where there may be hereditary issues and where onward breeding is not advisable. It is an important tool for breeders and an aid to responsible breeding.

However, disputes with endorsements can arise over the sufficiency and format of the notice of endorsements, therefore a template notice of endorsements has been created and will be introduced on 3 May 2022, in order to support the endorsement system for breeders and puppy buyers alike.

Breeders need to ensure that puppy buyers confirm, through signing the template form, that they know the endorsement has been placed on the registration record for their puppy. Puppy buyers should be signposted fully to the fact that a registration endorsement is in place and that a puppy has been sold as a pet or companion animal and not for the purposes of onward breeding or to contribute to the available gene pool.

Disputes over endorsements can sometimes become protracted, which can be a cause of distress, frustration and inconvenience to both breeder and puppy buyer. It is hoped that the introduction of the template notice will help avoid these situations by ensuring that any endorsements are clearly communicated by the breeder and accepted by the puppy buyer. The template will be accepted by The Kennel Club as sufficient notice and will help to remove known legal challenges.
The conditions for imposing registration endorsements are contained in Kennel Club regulation B12. The regulation will be updated to refer to the mandatory form of notice.

A breeder will still be free to express any conditions for lifting the endorsement in their puppy sales contract, and any dispute of that nature would remain for a court to resolve if necessary as is currently the case.

The updated regulation will not be retrospective and therefore does not affect previous endorsements already placed. There will be a transition period until 1 January 2023 before it will be expected that all breeders use the endorsement notice, as endorsements will otherwise not be maintained if challenged. We will issue a further notice in advance to alert breeders.

The template notice will be available to download from thekennelclub.org.uk from 3 May 2022 and will also be included in the breeder litter registration application journey online in due course.

Brachycephalic animals showed a high degree of stenotic malformation of the proximal external auditory canal.Malformatio...
24/03/2022

Brachycephalic animals showed a high degree of stenotic malformation of the proximal external auditory canal.

Malformation of the entire skull with extreme shortening of the craniofacial bone structures, as well as the discrepancy between the viscerocranium and neurocranium are possible causes of auditory canal changes.

Article: https://scholar.google.com/scholar?start=10&q=brachycephalic&hl=en&as_sdt=0,5&as_ylo=2022 =gs_qabs&u=%23p%3DHlickM3BwU0J

21/03/2022
19/03/2022
17/03/2022
Statement about the Best of Breed Bulldog at Crufts 2022Whilst the winning Crufts Bulldog, which comes from Spain, may a...
16/03/2022

Statement about the Best of Breed Bulldog at Crufts 2022

Whilst the winning Crufts Bulldog, which comes from Spain, may appear less moderate than others that may have won in recent years, he is, according to all assessments and vet checks, showing as being a healthy dog. He passed the show veterinary checks for any visible signs of health concerns – in the same way all Bulldogs and Best of Breed winners have to – and he also has excellent scores in The Kennel Club/University of Cambridge Respiratory Grading (RFG) Scheme assessment, which measures a dog’s likelihood to develop a breathing condition called Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS).

Even though this winner has been assessed as healthy, The Kennel Club, as part of the Brachycephalic Working Group, continues to work to change perceptions about what should be seen as normal and desirable when looking for flat-faced dogs. Changes to entire breeds – inside and outside the show ring – will take time to surface, but we always urge potential puppy buyers to see the puppy’s parents and look for more moderate examples of these dogs, and to also look for dogs that have been tested for potential breathing difficulties – known as BOAS or Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome – using The Kennel Club and the University of Cambridge’s RFG scheme, as the way a dog looks doesn’t always correlate with potential health issues.

https://www.crufts.org.uk/press-releases/statement-about-the-best-of-breed-bulldog-at-crufts-2022?fbclid=IwAR3yOMSwNVn1UryPwr68oS0yJg-nnG2LxPTQDbxkwhjLEKjugIFMRhbqnCo

Whilst the winning Crufts Bulldog, which comes from Spain, may appear less moderate than others that may have won in recent years, he is, according to all assessments and vet checks, showing as being a healthy dog.

Health test results for the Bulldog best of breed and reserved dog at Crufts 2022:CH The Crown Of The Bulldog Carte D'or...
12/03/2022

Health test results for the Bulldog best of breed and reserved dog at Crufts 2022:

CH The Crown Of The Bulldog Carte D'or (Carter), awarded Dog CC (left in picture)

- Born: 2020

- HUU: Clear

- No other health tests are known

CH Ricatori Redesigned, awarded Reserved Dog CC (right in picture)

- Born: 2016

- HUU: Clear

- Eyes: ECVO Eye Examination completed

Respiratory Function Grading Test (BOAS test):

- Grade 1 (aged 2)

- Grade 0 (aged 5)

Jane Ladlow at Crufts today discussing the Respiratory Function Grading Scheme on Channel 4 The BOAS test also known as ...
12/03/2022

Jane Ladlow at Crufts today discussing the Respiratory Function Grading Scheme on Channel 4

The BOAS test also known as the Respiratory Function Grading test has to be done at a vet who is trained in performing this test. Visit https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/health-and-dog-care/health/getting-started-with-health-testing-and-screening/respiratory-function-grading-scheme/ to find a vet in your area.

Click on link to download the bronze health assessment form: https://www.unitedbulldogbreedclub.co.uk/download-health-forms

Bronze health assessment form can be completed at a vet of your choice. The assessment covers, eye, heart, patella, mobility and other health checks needed before considering to breed.

The Kennel Club UK

27/02/2022

This photo is from the official Kennel Club archive. This is from the recently procured collection purchased from Maureen Bootle of Tommyville. Authenticity confirmed by Heidi Hudson, Curator of Photographic Collections at the Kennel Club. But hey… they didn’t exist… it’s all invented and if it’s NBS it fake and outcrossed. Or… maybe the narrative that’s been “sold” isn’t pure. #

"Dogs have olfactory receptors much more sensitive than humans, which is why they are attracted to new and interesting o...
24/02/2022

"Dogs have olfactory receptors much more sensitive than humans, which is why they are attracted to new and interesting odors (neophilia)."

The important elements of the olfactory system include:

- Nasal cavity

- Turbinates covered with the olfactory epithelium with receptors

- Vomeronasal organ (VNO)

1) As air is inhaled, it first enters the nasal turbinates, where a small number of olfactory receptor neurons are located.

2) Then air flows into the ethmoid turbinates and paranasal sinuses.

3) Subsequently the air flows toward the pharynx and larynx.

"The sensory area occupies more than 30% of the nasal cavity in dogs. Therefore, different breeds of dogs are successfully used for comparative research in olfaction."

"It was found that the changes within the skull have had a significant impact on the structure of the initial sections of the respiratory system, including the turbinates of the nasal passages. "

"The turbinate obstruction alters the way air flows into the olfactory fissure, which in turn affects the sense of smell."

https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/4/517

17/02/2022
BULLDOGS NEEDING RECOGNITIONBy David Hancock"The English Bulldog should be: a powerful canine athlete, able to move like...
16/02/2022

BULLDOGS NEEDING RECOGNITION
By David Hancock

"The English Bulldog should be: a powerful canine athlete, able to move like lightning over a short distance, with great neck and shoulder strength and a substantial jaw, able to display considerable agility - a healthy animal with a symmetrical, well-balanced physique free of exaggeration. It has never needed a massive head, a short body, with elbows and shoulders looking as though they are a late addition; it should be able to run just as its own ancestors could. It doesn't have to suffer from distressing eye conditions such as ectropian and entropian, incapacitating respiratory conditions such as trachial hypoplasia, overlong soft palate and laryngeal paralysis, congenital heart conditions like pulmonic stenosis, ventricular septal defect and mitral insufficiency, a host of dental and skin problems and vertebrae deformities. In England, we should be ashamed of what we have done to the world-famous, rightly-renowned, breed of Bulldog; breeders of the other bulldog breeds around the world should take note and vow that their breed will never be distorted in such a way. The world's Bulldogs are an important feature of the dog world and thoroughly merit protection from those deranged souls intent on exaggerating their breed points to a harmful degree. The Kennel Club of Britain must now lead the way in the breeding of a sounder, historically-correct, healthier and longer-lived Bulldog."

https://www.davidhancockondogs-serials.com/1244

We tend to think of ‘the Bulldog’ as a purely British type of dog and see the KC-registered variety as the exemplar. But the word bulldog denotes a function not just a recognised breed of dog. Dogs brave enough to face and then control a bull were valuable dogs in quite a lot of countries. Sadly...

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